2.1.1 Software

• Restart Windows
  Force Restart Windows (shutdown -r -f -t 00) now to provide a clean environment befor proceeding
• System Restore
  Check System Restore configuration and try to set at least 7% allocation
• Create a new System Restore point
  Name it something like “COPS - Pre System Service”
• Task Manager
  • Disable unwanted startup items
• Wintoys
  • Install Wintoys
    winget install wintoys
    or
    winget install 9P8LTPGCBZXD
    or
    ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9P8LTPGCBZXD
  • Performance Tab
    • Ultimate performance power plan
      Turn ON if Desktop
      Turn OFF if Laptop
    • HAGS (hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling) | Turn ON
    • VBS (virtualization-base security) | Turn ON
    • Startup apps | Disable unwanted startup items
    • Search indexing | Turn ON
    • Delivery optimization | Turn ON
    • Network adapter onboard processor | Turn ON
  • Health Tab
    • Fast startup | Turn ON
    • Drive optimization | Turn ON and run (click config icon and optimise each drive)
    • Storage sense | Turn ON and run (click config icon and click ‘Run Storage Sense now’)
    • Cleanup | Run ‘Junk’ + ‘Microsoft Store’ + ‘DNS’
    • System updates | Set to ‘Default’
    • App updates | Turn ON
    • Graphics driver | Click ‘Restart’
    • Icons cache | Click ‘Rebuild’
  • Tweaks Tab
    • Desktop | Turn ON ‘This PC’ + ‘Recycle Bin’
• Update software
  • Windows Update
    • old Windows 10 builds can use the Windows 10 Update Assistant to jump to the latest build
  • Update Apps via Winget
  • Update Apps via Microsoft Store
  • Update Office Apps
• Update Drivers
  • Update Drivers using SDIO
  • Verify Drivers using verifier
• Maintenance
  • Run the following commands:
    • sfc /scannow
      
    • dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase
      
    • dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
      
    • sfc /scannow
      
    • chkdsk c: /r /scan /perf
      
    • defrag c: /o
  • Disk Cleanup
    • Run cleanmgr /sageset:10
    • Click Clean up system files
    • Tick all checkboxes EXCEPT:
      System error memory dump files
System error minidump files
Windows error reports and feedback diagnostics
User file history
    • Click OK
    • Run cleanmgr /sagerun:10
  • Memory Diagnostics
    • Run Windows Memory Diagnostics
    • Click ‘Restart now and check for problems (recommended)’
    • After Windows boots back up, check results:
      Event Viewer - Windows Logs - System - Filter Current Log… - Event sources - Tick ‘MemoryDiagnostics-Results’ - Click OK
  • Create a new System Restore point
    Name it something like “COPS - Post System Service”

2.1.2 Hardware

• Check all buttons and ports are free from debris and working functioning correctly
• Air compress out system as required
• Wipe down device and clean surfaces
• Add a Serviced by COPS sticker or replace old worn stickers as required

3.1.1 Backup

• Restart Windows
  Force Restart Windows (shutdown -r -f -t 00) now to provide a clean environment befor proceeding
• [OPTIONAL] Create a new System Restore point
• Disable Antivirus
  
  • Some of our extraction tools prompt false positives in the majority of security software
• Create a Job folder on a Transfer Drive
  naming convention:
  Job#5000
  • Create a new folder with the current job number to save User Data to
• Backup User Profiles
  
  • Copy C:\Users\ folder to the Job folder on the Transfer Drive
• Backup Web Browsers
  For each web browser installed complete the following:
  • Export Bookmarks
    naming convention:
    Web Browser - Google Chrome - Bookmarks - 2024-07-15.html
    or
    web-browser_google-chrome_bookmarks_2024-07-15.html
    • Google Chrome URL: chrome://bookmarks
      
    • Microsoft Edge URL: edge://favorites
      
    • AVG Secure Browser URL: secure://bookmarks
      
    • Mozilla Firefox Hotkey: Ctrl+Shift+O
      
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer: %USERPROFILE%\Favorites
  • Export Passwords
    naming convention:
    Web Browser - Google Chrome - Passwords - 2024-07-15.csv
    or
    web-browser_google-chrome_passwords-2024-07-15.csv
    • Google Chrome URL: chrome://password-manager or chrome://settings/passwords (older Chrome versions)
      
    • Microsoft Edge URL: edge://wallet/passwords or edge://settings/passwords (older Edge versions)
      
    • AVG Secure Browser URL: secure://password-manager or secure://settings/passwords (older Secure Browser versions)
      
    • Mozilla Firefox URL: about:logins
      
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer: use Nirsoft IE PassView
  • Sync Accounts
    Try to sync each browser with their relevant accounts if available
    Manual exports of Bookmarks + Passwords is good, but syncing the entire browser is better
    • Google Chrome: Google Account
      • chrome://sync-internals
        
      • Check Enabled: Sync Feature Enabled = true
        
      • Check Account: Username
        
      • Checked Synced: Last Synced = Just now
        
      • Check Not Actively Syncing: Sync Cycle Ongoing = false
        
      • Force Sync (if required): chrome://extensions - enable Developer mode - click Update
        
    • Microsoft Edge: Microsoft Account
      • TODO (but it’s similar to Chrome)
        
    • AVG Secure Browser: AVG Account
      • TODO (but it’s similar to Chrome)
        
    • Mozilla Firefox:_ Mozilla Account
      • TODO
• Export Installed Programs List
  naming convention:
  Installed Programs - Nirsoft Uninstallview - 2024-07-15.html
  or
  installed-programs_nirsoft-uninstallview_2024-07-15.html
  • use Nirsoft UninstallView, save all as Horizontal HTML
• Export Winget
  naming convention:
  Winget - Export - 2024-07-15.json
  or
  winget_export_2024-07-15.json
  • Open a Terminal as Administrator
    Run wt or powershell or cmd
  • Check Winget is installed winget -v (this will throw an error if winget is unavailable)
    
  • Update Winget winget source update
  • Export Winget’s list of installed programs winget export -o "REPLACE-WITH-TARGET-FILE"
    (update REPLACE-WITH-TARGET-FILE with the target winget export file on the transfer drive)
    
  • Optionally export a list of all programs that Winget does cannot re-install at the same time with this extended command winget export -o "REPLACE-WITH-TARGET-FILE" >- "winget_unnavailable.txt"
• Export License Keys
  naming convention:
  License Keys - Nirsoft Product Key Scanner - 2024-07-15.html
  or
  license-keys_nirsoft-product-key-scanner_2024-07-15.html
  • use Nirsoft Product Key Scanner or Nirsoft ProduKey, save all as Horizontal HTML
• Export Emails
  • Extract Passwords and Server Settings
    • Nirsoft Mail PassView
    • Nirsoft WinMailPassRec
    • Nirsoft PstPassword
  • Backup any accounts set up as POP
    • How to export emails to file in Outlook
• Check C: Drive for unusual files/folders
  • copy to Job folder copying the C: Drive file structure (TransferDrive:\Job#5000\C\FolderToSave)
• [OPTIONAL] Create Winget Install Script
  • https://winstall.app/ - Select Desired Programs - Generate Script - Download both Batch (.bat) and PowerShell (.ps1) scripts
• Export Drivers
  TRANSFERDRIVE:\\Job#5000\Drivers - 2024-07-15\
  or
  TRANSFERDRIVER:\\Job#5000\drivers_2024-07-15\
  • Open PowerShell as an Administrator and run the following script:
    Export-WindowsDriver -Online -Destination "REPLACE-WITH-TARGET-FOLDER"
    (update REPLACE-WITH-TARGET-FOLDER with the target drivers folder on the transfer drive)
• Enable Antivirus

3.1.2 Prepare New Device (if required)

• Create a Local Account during Windows 10/11 Out of Box Experience (OOBE)
  • Option 1: No Internet Connected
    Bypass Network Registration
    • Open Command Prompt: Shift+F10 (may require pressing Fn on some devices)
      
    • Run command: OOBE\BYPASSNRO (this will restart the OOBE if successful)
      
    • Proceed through OOBE like normal until you get to the Network Selection screen
      
    • Select I don't have an internet connection (if this button is not available the bypass didn’t work, proceed to Option 2)
      
    • Select Continue with limited setup
      
    • Create a Local Account: COPS (no password)
      
    • Complete the OOBE as normal
  • Option 2: Internet Connected
    Force Local Account Creation
    • Proceed though OOBE like normal until you get to the Login with a Microsoft Account screen
      
    • Open Command Prompt: Shift+F10 (may require pressing Fn on some devices)
      
    • Run command: start ms-cxh:localonly
    • Create a Local Account: COPS (no password)
      
    • Complete the OOBE as normal
  • Note regarding Windows 10/11 S Mode
    In some cases you won’t be able to open the Command Prompt, you may only see it’s black box flash up on the screen and quickly dissapear. This is could be a indication of the Windows 10/11 install being in S Mode (Store Mode), which disables access to terminals (i.e. Command Prompt) and execution of non Microsoft Store apps.
    If you encounter this, you will not be able create a Local Account during the OOBE, and you will need to complete the OOBE with the customer’s Microsoft Account. After the OOBE is complete and you’ve reached the Windows Desktop environment, you may need to Switch Out of S Mode to proceed with the Data Transfer, as S Mode restricts us from running our tools if required.
    • [OPTIONAL] Switch Out of S Mode
      WARNING: SWITCHING OUT OF S MODE IS A PERMANANT CHANGE AND CANNOT BE REVERTED
      • Connect to the internet
        
      • Run ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=BF712690PMLF&OCID=windowssmodesupportpage
        
      • Follow the prompts to Switch Out of S Mode
        (this will change the Windows edition installed to Windows 10/11 Home or Pro as per it’s installed license)
• Configure System Restore
  
• Check installed Windows’ Edition
  
  • Run winver
• Create a new System Restore point
  COPS - Fresh Windows 10/11 Home/Pro Install (use 10 or 11 and Home or Pro as per winver)
• Connect to the Internet (if not already)
• Check Windows is activated
  TODO: ms-settings:activation or ms-settings:activation?activationSource=SMC-Article-12440
• Configure Time/Date
• Configure Windows Update
  • Open Windows Update
    Run control update
  • Click Resume updates if updates are currently paused
  • Disable Get the latest updates as soon as they're available
  • Advanced options
    • Enable Receive update for other Microsoft products
    • Disable Get me up to date
    • Enable Notify me when a restart is required to finish updating
    • Delivery Optimization
      • Enable Allow downloads from other devices
        • Select Devices on my local network
• Update Microsoft Store Apps
  
  • Open Microsoft Store
    Run ms-windows-store:
    • Click Downloads
    • Click Check for updates
    • Click Update all
• Update Winget Apps
  
  • Open a Terminal
    Run wt or powershell or cmd
  • Run the following commands:
    winget source update
winget upgrade --all --silent
    
• Update Windows
• Update Office apps
  
  • Run "C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\OfficeC2RClient.exe" /update user forceappshutdown=true
• Check Drivers
  Bangs(!) exclamation marks in Device Manager indicates missing, incorrect, or corrupt drivers
  • Open Device Manager to check for Bangs(!)
  • Run Snappy Driver Installer Origin (SDIO) as an Administrator
  • Select TODO: Create a new system restore point
  • Select all missing/incorrect/corrupt drivers (as per bangs! in Device Manager)
  • Click Install
• [OPTIONAL] Update Outdated Drivers
• Verify Drivers
  • Turn On Windows Verifier:
    • Run verifier
    • Select Create standard settings
    • Click Next
    • Select Automatically select all drivers on this computer
    • Click Finish
    • Restart Windows shutdown -r -f -t 00
      • Windows Verifier works by stressing out drivers as they’re loaded (it is expected that the computer’s performance will be impacted while verifier is enabled)
        
      • If Windows loads into the desktop OK and does not crash with Verifier enabled, then all is good and you can proceed to turn it off
        
      • If Verifier induces a crash, Windows should produce a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) with a STOP Code error and information on the driver that crashed, you can use this information to identify the faulty driver that caused the crash and replace it
  • Turn Off Windows Verifier:
    • Run verifier
    • Select Delete existing settings
    • Click Finish
    • Restart Windows shutdown -r -f -t 00

3.1.3 Restore

• Install Programs
  • you can use the winget install script for this if you made one  - install programs before restoring the user profile, as otherwise some required registry entries may not exist yet
• Restore User Profiles
  • make Administrator, make default user, set no password and set password does NOT expire
• Copy over any C: Drive files/folders that were backed up
• Restart Windows (this should log in to the restored user profile)
  • open a command prompt window (or similar) as Administrator to ensure account has admin priviledges
• Install Printer Drivers
  • If you can not install the printer drivers + software without the printer present, save the printer package installer to C:\COPS\ and create a shortcut to it on the customer’s desktop
• Check Web Browsers and restore Bookmarks and Passwords from backups as required
• Activate software using extracted keys or accounts as required
• Configure email accounts as required
• Install additional drivers as required
• Move any USB Dongles from the old device (Wireless mice, wifi, blue adapters, etc…)
• Update Apps
  via Microsoft Store
  via Winget
• Update Windows
• Update Office apps (if installed)
• Restart Windows
• Remove ‘COPS’ user account
  • Run: netplwiz - Select COPS - Click Remove
  • Delete C:\Users\COPS\ folder
    Windows may prevent you from removing this folder if it’s currently accessing it in the background, if this happens just restart Windows and try to remove it again
  • Empty Recycle Bin
• System Maintenance/Repair
  
  • Open a Terminal as Administrator
    Run wt or powershell or cmd
  • Run the following commands:
    winget source reset --force
winget source update
winget upgrade --all --silent
sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
sfc /scannow
defrag /c /o
chkdsk c: /r /scan /perf
    
    Useful Tip

    You can queue up multiple commands in PowerShell by pressing Shift+Enter to add a new line before pressing Enter to execute the all of the queued up commands one after another
• Restart Windows
• Create a new System Restore point COPS - Completed Data Transfer

4.1.1 Pre

• [IMPORTANT] Air Gap Device > Ensure device is disconnected from all networks before RKill is run successfully and RATs ( Remote Access Tools ) removed, to ensure malicious actors do not re-connect to the device while it’s still compromised
• Enable System Restore (set to 7% allocation if enough free disk space)
• [OPTIONAL] Create a new System Restore point COPS - Pre Virus/Malware Removal > This System Restore point will be wiped out in a later step (post-virus/malware removal), as malware can persist in old System Restore points
• Restart Windows
  Force Restart Windows (shutdown -r -f -t 00) now to provide a clean environment befor proceeding
• COPS Folder
  Create C:\COPS\ folder on the system
  • [OPTIONAL] Add C:\COPS\ to the installed antivirus’s exclusion list
    Trend Micro
    Windows Security
    
• Disable Antivirus
  Trend Micro
  Windows Security
  
• RKill
  • Copy RKill folder from your USB Tool to the COPS folder
    RKill can’t run from a write-blocked drive, so you’ll usually need to copy the executables out first
  • [IMPORTANT] Run any RKill executable as Admininstrator
  • Wait for RKill to complete, it will then generate a report RKill.txt on the current user’s desktop
  • Move RKill.txt from %USERPROFILE%\Desktop to COPS folder
• Revo Uninstaller
• Disk Cleanup
  • Run cleanmgr /sageset:10
    This will open the Disk Cleanup utility to create settings for Profile 10
  • Click Clean up system files
  • Select all checkboxes except for the following system error options:
    System error memory dump files
System error minidump files
    You can click on an option, and then use the UP + DOWN Arrows + Space Bar to quickly check or uncheck options
  • Click OK
  • Run cleanmgr /sagerun:10
    This will run the Disk Cleanup utility to using Profile 10’s settings

4.1.2 Main

• Connect to Internet
• [OPTIONAL] AdwCleaner > AdwCleaner crashes out of UVK’s automation, so run it now instead if you want to use it
• [OPTIONAL] Spybot - Search & Destroy > Spybot is a thorough malware removal tool, but it can take a very long time to complete it’s scans
• [OPTIONAL] Windows Defender Offline Scan
• [OPTIONAL] Create a new System Restore point “COPS - Pre Virus/Malware Removal”
• Ultra Virus Killer (UVK)
  • Install UVK
  • Open UVK
    • Do not disable Hybrid Shutdown if asked when opening UVK
    • Do Update UVK if asked when opening UVK
  • Click System Repair
  • Select the following repair actions: (left menu) > (you can click on an option, and then use the UP + DOWN Arrows + Space Bar to quickly check or uncheck options)
    
    • Pre-Repair Actions
           1. Set technician power settings
           2. Kill all non system processes
           3. Delete all restore points
           4. Create a system restore point
           5. Free physical memory
           6. Backup the registry
           7. Un-immunize all areas
           8. Disable the User Account Control
           9. Enable the legacy (F8) boot menu
           10. Enable Windows Recovery Environment
           11. Prevent rebooting until all is done
      
    • Third-Party Built-in Apps
           12. Ultra Adware Killer scan
           13. MalwareBytes AntiMalware scan
           14. Super AntiSpyware scan
           15. RogueKiller scan
           16. Kaspersky TDSSKiller scan
           17. Avast! Browser Cleanup
      
    • Reset Actions
           18. Reset the DNS cache
           19. Reset the Windows Store
           20. Reset all print jobs
      
    • Fixes for Common Windows Problems
             n/a
      
    • File System Related Actions
           21. Rebuild icon cache
      
    • Essential Installes/Updates
           [If Google Chrome is installed:]
              22. Insall/Update Chrome
              23. Install uBlock Origin for Chrome
           [If Mozilla Firefox is installed:]
              24. Install/Update Firefox
              25. Install uBlock Origin for Firefox
           26. Install uBlock Origin for Edge
           27. PatchMyPC - Update all apps
      
    • Privacy Cleanup
           28. Clear all browsers history (all users)
           29. Delete browsers cookies (all users)
      
    • Maintenance Actions
           30. Empty all users temp folders
           31. Empty browsers cache (all users)
           32. Unattended disk cleanup
      
    • System Repair and Optimization
             n/a
      
    • Windows Troubleshooters
             n/a
      
    • Post-Repair Actions
           33. Restore the previous UAC state
           34. Restore previous immunization
           35. Delete all restore points (post repair)
           36. Create restore point (post repair)
           37. Reset power settings
           38. Uninstall Malwarebytes Antimalware
           39. Uninstall Super AntiSpyware
           40. Uinstall RogueKiller
           41. Uninstall this application
           42. Restore normal boot
          
  • Select the following loadout settings: (right menu)
         1. Third party full scans
         2. Use unattended mode
        
  • Click Run selected fixes/apps

4.1.3 Post

• [OPTIONAL] Create a new System Restore point “COPS - Pre Windows Update”
• Update Windows (no preview updates)
• Update Apps via Microsoft Store
• Update Apps via Windows Package Manager (winget) winget source update
winget upgrade --all --silent
  
  Tip

  You can queue up multiple commands in PowerShell by pressing Shift+Enter to add a new line before pressing Enter to execute the all of the queued up commands one after another
• [OPTIONAL] Create a new System Restore point “COPS - Pre Driver Update”
• Update Drivers (SDIO)
• Verify Drivers
  • Turn On Windows Verifier:
    • Run Win+R: verifier
    • Select Create standard settings
    • Click Next
    • Select Automatically select all drivers on this computer
    • Click Finish
    • Restart Windows (shutdown -r -f -t 00)
      Windows Verifier works by stressing out drivers as they’re loaded (it is expected that the computer’s performance will be impacted while verifier is enabled)
      If Windows loads into the desktop OK and does not crash with verifier enabled, then all is good and you can proceed to turn it off
  • Turn Off Windows Verifier:
    • Run Win+R: verifier
    • Select Delete existing settings
    • Click Finish
    • Restart Windows (shutdown -r -f -t 00)
• System Maintenance/Repair
  
  • Open a Terminal as Administrator
    Run wt or powershell or cmd
  • Run the following commands:
    winget source reset --force
winget source update
winget upgrade --all --silent
sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
sfc /scannow
defrag /c /o
chkdsk c: /r /scan /perf
    
    Useful Tip

    You can queue up multiple commands in PowerShell by pressing Shift+Enter to add a new line before pressing Enter to execute the all of the queued up commands one after another
• Create a new System Restore point “COPS - Post Virus/Malware Removal”

4.2.1 Pre

• Remove Intrusive Full-Screen Pop-Ups
  These relentless pop-ups make the device impossible to work with, so deal with these first (if applicable)
  
  More Info

  These full screen pop-ups/ads aren’t a sign of an injection, but merely a malicious use of the native Android notification system.
  Users don’t intentionally give these apps permission to do this, but it’s often caused by Tapjacking or simply users ignorantly agreeing to permission prompts.
  • Open Play Store
    • Install Ad Virus Cleaner - ROX Security
  • Open Ad Virus Cleaner - ROX Security
    • Tap Scan
    • Wait for the scan to complete
    • Tap on Pop-up Ad Detector
      • Tap on Give Permissions
        This will open a required permissions settings panel
        • Enable ROX Security
        • Tap < (back button)
• Safe Mode
  Reboot the device in Safe-Mode (if available)
• Web Browsers
  Clear Cache + Data for all Web Browsers installed on the device.
  The following steps are for Google Chrome, but other apps are managed that same way
  • Open Settings
    • Tap Apps
      • Tap Chrome
        • Tap Storage
          • Tap Clear cache
          • Tap Clear data

Remove Full-Screen Pop Up Ads (use ‘Ad Virus Cleaner - ROX Security’ or ‘Appwatch’ apps)

Remove any Suspicious or Malicious Apps